Though some of the feelings were foreign to him, he could recognize them as a threat to his well-being. “That kills more dreams, careers, on and off the court, basketball-related and just (in) regular life,” Brown says. “As soon as you start not believing in yourself, it’s over. So I had to quiet that voice that was in the back of my head. Everybody has it. It’s not something that, like, just Jaylen has been through it. I think everybody on this planet probably has that voice in the back of their head telling them to stop or to quit or not to keep going. And that voice had been louder last year than it had ever been. So I had to make sure to quiet that fucking voice because it was pissing me off.”
He found the best response was …
He found the best response was sometimes to detach from a situation, even if others did not always understand the tactic. He wasn’t doing it out of a lack of care, he says, but because he needed to preserve his positive energy and keep moving in the right direction. While he says he didn’t lean much on others for advice, his grandfather recommended a number of helpful books. “A lot of it had to do with astrology and stuff like that,” Brown says. “Finding out what you’re made of. I had to remind myself of who I was. That was good for me.”
Brown has a bigger role again. Head …
Brown has a bigger role again. Head coach Brad Stevens inserted him into the starting lineup from Day 1. Through nine games, the Celtics lead the NBA with an 8-1 record and a plus-9.5 net rating. Brown is averaging 19.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on 53 percent shooting. Those marks would all establish career highs. He has lived near the rim so far — which he called a conscious decision — but he does not want to pigeonhole himself into a slashing style. If teams start backing up, he says, he may need to start lacing 3-pointers again. “The media or analytics, they always try to put you in a box and say this is the type of player he is or this is the type of player,” Brown says. “I don’t think anybody knows what type of player I am. I can try to continue to grow and get better. In two years I might be improved at anything just because I work on my game that way.”
After 11 games, it’s obvious Jordan Poole still has a long way to go
Rookie Jordan Poole hasn’t exactly been lighting it up over the Warriors’ first 11 games of the season.
After injuries and departures in free agency changed the 2019-20 outlook for the Warriors, the focus shifted to getting younger. The need for youth and lack of depth put them in a unique position where they needed young players that could contribute immediately.
For the first time in years, the NBA draft became important.
When Golden State was on the clock in the first round they selected guard Jordan Poole from the University of Michigan, a pick that came as somewhat of a surprise to many. Draft experts pegged Poole as a second-round pick.
Regardless of his pre-draft evaluation, when Poole’s name was called, he became a figurehead to the Warriors’ future.
With more injuries to start the season, Poole was thrust into a featured role in Steve Kerr’s offense and thus far, it hasn’t been pretty. The Warriors have struggled to start the season and Poole is in the middle of all of it.
Jordan Poole misses a completely wide open layup… pic.twitter.com/Q2pJw8eqCF
— GoatWorldSports (@GoatWorldSport1) November 12, 2019
Poole’s best trait is his shooting, but he hasn’t found any rhythm in the NBA game. Poole is shooting 28.4 percent from the field and 28.8 percent from beyond the arc. Poole has launched double-digit field goals in seven of 11 games this season, and during the Warriors’ recent four-game skid, Poole has shot 4-for-19 from three.
It goes beyond the numbers: Poole often looks lost on the court and his shot selection has been a problem.
On the season, he had converted just 33 of his 116 field goal attempts.
The rookie looks like he could use a stint in the G League to reset, but the Warriors are so thin across their roster they need Poole to continue to play minutes.
Poole’s confidence might be his best skill at the moment. If he’s benched or sent to the G League at any point, his confidence could be compromised. That’s something Steve Kerr will need to consider.
Right now, the best option for him and the Warriors is to keep shooting. Beyond Poole, the Warriors don’t have many options, especially with Damion Lee out for at least the next two weeks with a right hand fracture.
The Warriors are in a development year. Poole is still only 20 years old. No matter how bad he’s been, the Warriors’ best option is to ride out this slump with him.
It’s going to take time for the rookie to develop and time is something the Warriors can afford. Poole’s development should become a top priority for the Warriors going forward, and his work with Kerr, Mike Brown and Ron Adams will be something to watch as the season progresses.
“He’s gotta be a step quicker, and that will all come,” Kerr said of Poole to reporters last week. “He’s going through the normal trials and tribulations of a rookie, but we’re throwing him into the fire because of all the injuries.”
Even still, Kerr acknowledged that, perhaps due to his confidence, the rookie hasn’t exactly been taking high percentage shots.
“He’s taken some tough shots, I’m not gonna get on him too much about the shots, I want guys to feel confident,” he said.
Here’s Steve Kerr on Jordan Poole’s continued shooting woes: pic.twitter.com/MuC3aH0ZTs
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) November 7, 2019
The reality of the situation is that this is an evaluation year for Poole. If he can use his rookie year to establish himself as a scorer off the bench for next season, that’s a win for the Warriors.
But through 11 games, it’s obvious that he’s got a long way to go.
Justin Houston, Quenton Nelson named to PFF Team of the Week
Justin Houston and Quenton Nelson made an impression in Week 10.
The Indianapolis Colts suffered a horrendous loss at home against the Miami Dolphins, but there were some lone bright spots on both sides of the ball in Week 10.
Pro Football Focus was particularly keen on the performances of defensive end Justin Houston and left guard Quenton Nelson—both of which were named to their Team of the Week in Week 10.
LG QUENTON NELSON, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Nelson has now earned 70.0-plus overall grades and run-blocking grades in three consecutive games. Against Miami on Sunday, he earned an 84.2 overall grade, 89.6 pass-blocking grade and 77.1 run-blocking grade. He also allowed zero pressures across his 41 pass-blocking snaps.
EDGE JUSTIN HOUSTON, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Houston recorded six total pressures against Miami on Sunday, including four hurries, one hit and a sack. He also logged four defensive stops in the affair.
While the offensive line had some question marks in the upset loss, Nelson held his own for the most part. He was stout in pass protection and was solid when the Colts tried to run the ball—though they struggled to get much going in the latter area.
Houston has been the MVP for the Colts defense through nine games. He’s already up to 7.0 sacks and has one in each of his last five games. The veteran has been well worth the two-year deal he signed this offseason.
There is a bit of a snub, though. Linebacker Darius Leonard had one of the better performances at the position in recent memory, but somehow he didn’t grade high enough to make the list. He finished with 13 tackles (11 solo), one sack, one interception, two passes defended, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Clippers-Rockets odds: LA Clippers slight road favorites
Previewing Wednesday’s Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and tips.
The Los Angeles Clippers (7-3) visit the Houston Rockets (7-3) Wednesday at Toyota Center for a 7:30 p.m. ET start. We analyze the Clippers-Rockets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Clippers at Rockets: Key injuries
Clippers
- SF Paul George (shoulder) questionable
- SG Landry Shamet (ankle) out
Rockets
- C Nene Hilario (hip) out
- SG Eric Gordon (knee) out
Clippers at Rockets: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Rockets 121, Clippers 115
Moneyline (ML)
The -110 line for the home ROCKETS is reasonable given the matchup. Houston is 3-1 at home this season and 5-0 against the Western Conference. Los Angeles is only 1-2 on the road.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the ROCKETS to win outright returns a profit of $9.09.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The ROCKETS (+1.5, -121) are the play here. A Houston cover (lose by no more than one point or win outright) returns a profit of $8.26.
Los Angeles is 1-2 against the spread on the road and covers the spread by an average of 2.2 points per game while Houston is 1-3 ATS at home and covers by 5.4 points per game. Houston has the ability to win this game outright.
The moneyline remains the more profitable play.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 231.5 (-110). There are just better choices in some of the other NBA games tonight. Expect the pace to be high, but it may come down to some free throws late in the fourth quarter.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Chris’s NBA betting record: 30-18
Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
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Joe Giannetti steps up to face Paddy Pimblett at Cage Warriors 111 in London
Former ‘TUF’ prospect Joe Giannetti has agreed to step in on 10 days’ notice to take on former Cage Warriors featherweight champion Paddy Pimblett at Cage Warriors 111 in London.
Former UFC and “The Ultimate Fighter 27” athlete [autotag]Joe Giannetti[/autotag] is all set to step up and face one of Cage Warriors’ biggest stars on just 10 days’ notice at Cage Warriors 111.
Giannetti (8-2-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who has competed three times already for the Boston-based Cage Titans promotion in 2019, has signed to face former Cage Warriors featherweight champion [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] in a lightweight bout at the Indigo at The O2 on Friday, Nov. 22.
The fight will represent Giannetti’s third bout in five months as he looks to follow up on his first-round TKO finish of Keenan Raymond at Cage Titans 45 in August.
The 24-year-old impressed with his submission skills during the 27th season of “TUF,” as he claimed back-to-back first-round finishes of John Gunther and Allan Zuniga to earn a spot in the final, but he was defeated for the UFC contract by Mike Trizano. Now the Massachusetts native said he sees his upcoming fight with Pimblett as a potential springboard back into the UFC and a second chance in the octagon.
“This is a fight that international fight fans have wanted for a while,” Giannetti (8-2-1) said. “I’ve got a goal to get back into the UFC, Paddy’s got a goal to get to the UFC, so we’re going to find out who’s the other’s stepping stone.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Pimblett (14-3) said he was grateful to Giannetti for agreeing to step up on short notice, but said that doing so was a bad career move for the American.
“Stepping in on 10 days’ notice, most people wouldn’t do it,” Pimblett admitted. “Considering everyone says they want to fight me, when the opportunity came up, they all went missing.
“I’m grateful to Joe for stepping up, but it’s a bad decision for him. I don’t think he’s been finished before, so this will be the first time he’s been finished in his career.”
Pimblett is looking to bounce back following his unanimous decision loss to Soren Bak at Cage Warriors 96 in September 2018, but his originally-scheduled opponent, Belgium’s Donovan Desmae, was forced off the upcoming card through injury.
It left the door open for Giannetti, who is heading to London looking to claim a big-name British scalp. And he had a word of warning for “The Baddy” ahead of their matchup next weekend.
“I hope he’s not expecting an easy night because I got the call last minute,” he said. “We bring a different type of energy in Boston.”
The event will be headlined by a trio of title fights, with James Webb, Mads Burnell and Modestas Bukauskas putting their middleweight, featherweight and light heavyweight titles on the line respectively.
Confirmed fights for Cage Warriors 111 include:
MAIN CARD
- Champ James Webb vs. Nathias Frederick – for middleweight title
- Champ Mads Burnell vs. Steve Aimable – for featherweight title
- Champ Modestas Bukauskas vs. Riccardo Nosiglia – for light heavyweight title)
- Joe Giannetti vs. Paddy Pimblett
- Alex Lohore vs. Joilton Santos
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Ayton de Paepe vs. Cory Tait
- Mike Ekundayo vs. Luca Iovine
- Harry Davies vs. Josh Onwordi
- Adam Amarasinghe vs. Johan Segas
- Matthew Bonner vs. Warren Kee
- Jordan Barton vs. James Hendin
- Scott Butters vs. Kingsley Crawford
- Daryl Golding vs. Emrah Sonmez
Oklahoma to wear alternate uniforms against Baylor
The Sooners are donning their alternate uniforms, the Rough Riders, in their top-ranked matchup with Baylor this week. It will be the first time this year we’ve seen the white version of the uniforms.
Oklahoma is ready to ride.
The Sooners are donning their alternate uniforms, the Rough Riders, in their top-ranked matchup with Baylor this week. It will be the first time this year we’ve seen the white version of the uniforms.
Rough Riders Saturday.#ChampionshipNovember #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/fxCTBBtGOg
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 13, 2019
Oklahoma has worn their alternates only one other time this year, against West Virginia in Week 9, when the Sooners won 52-14. This will be the third consecutive year Oklahoma has brought out their alternates for Baylor.
Since then, Oklahoma has lost by one touchdown to Kansas State, and won by just a point against Iowa State.
Many analysts think the Sooners are in “win and get-in” mode from here on out, and on Saturday they’ll be in it in their Rough Riders.
Baylor is currently ranked No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings, with Oklahoma coming in at No. 10. With a win over the Bears, the Sooners could vault ahead.
Updated playoff standings entering Week 11
Updated playoff standings entering Week 11
After a much-needed win in Week 10, the Oakland Raiders are right in the thick of things in the AFC playoff chase. Sitting at 5-4, there are only a few teams in the conference with a better record than the Raiders.
With the Chiefs losing in Week 10, Oakland is somehow only one-game back of the division lead with a game left with Kansas City.
While a wild card berth is still the most likely outcome for the Raiders, it’s certainly not impossible that they catch the Chiefs given how soft their schedule is over the next few weeks.
Let’s take a quick look at the current playoff standings in both the AFC:
| SEED | TEAM | DIVISION | RECORD |
| 1 | East | 8-1-0 | |
| 2 | North | 7-2-0 | |
| 3 | South | 6-3-0 | |
| 4 | West | 6-4-0 | |
| 5 | East | 6-3-0 | |
| 6 | North | 5-4-0 | |
| SEED | TEAM | DIVISION | RECORD |
| 7 | West | 5-4-0 | |
| 8 | South | 5-4-0 | |
| 9 | South | 5-5-0 | |
| 10 | South | 4-5-0 | |
| 11 | West | 4-6-0 | |
| 12 | West | 3-6-0 | |
| 13 | North | 3-6-0 | |
| 14 | East | 2-7-0 | |
| 15 | East | 2-7-0 | |
| 16 | North | 0-9-0 | |
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Colts worked out 4 free-agent kickers
Colts work out a quartet of kickers.
The Indianapolis Colts were expected to hold a workout for a handful of free-agent kickers on Tuesday as they evaluate the direction they want to go amid Adam Vinatieri’s struggles.
This is the second time the Colts have held a group work out for kickers. The reportedly had four come in for a workout—including two that were a part of the group earlier in the season.
The news was first reported by Field Yates of ESPN.
With Adam Vinatieri's recent struggles, the Colts worked out kickers Elliot Fry, Greg Joseph, Mike Nugent and Nick Rose.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 12, 2019
Elliot Fry and Greg Joseph were the two that worked out for the Colts earlier in the season. They are also a part of the kickers the Colts should consider if they do decide to part ways with the future Hall of Fame in Vinatieri.
The veteran in Mike Nugent spent most of his career with the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals. He also signed with the New England Patriots for a few games this season.
Nick Rose is 25 years old but has only appeared in 10 career games since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
It remains to be seen what will happen with the entire Vinatieri situation, but the Colts are doing their homework in case they decide to make a move.